On Wednesday, the United States announced that its military had stopped all maritime trade to and from Iran. At the same time, President Donald Trump said talks to end the war could resume soon, even as the U.S. military continues its blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. blockade of Iranian ports has grown stronger. More ships are being turned away, including the Chinese-owned tanker Rich Starry, which is under U.S. sanctions. On Wednesday, it was heading back toward the Strait of Hormuz after leaving the Persian Gulf.
The US military says the blockade, which started on Monday, targets all ships going to or coming from Iran, including those travelling to ports in the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. More than 10,000 U.S. personnel, over a dozen warships, and several aircraft are enforcing it.
The operation has cut off maritime trade, which supports around 90 per cent of Iran’s economy. Earlier, U.S. forces reported intercepting eight Iran-linked oil tankers since the blockade began on Monday, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As of Tuesday, around 2,000 vessels are trapped on the Gulf side, and some 400 are waiting to enter the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: Reuters/ TRT World
